For the days you're tired and hurried, here's a 30-minute Instant Pot Pork Chops and Rice recipe that requires almost no effort. Tender pork chops, comforting soft rice, and veggies your kids will actually eat.
What Makes This Instant Pot Pork Chops and Rice Recipe So Good?
- Easy. Set your Instant Pot for 5 minutes and walk away.
- Fast. Start to finish done in under 30 minutes.
- Family-friendly. A great way to sneak in some veggies.
- Meal prep. Freezes and reheats with ease.
- Delicious. So great you'll add it to your dinner rotation.
- Little Cleanup. One pot, pour and cook meal.
What Kind of Veggies Can I Use In This Recipe?
- Frozen Mixed Veggies
- Julienned Carrots
- Peas
- Frozen Green Beans
- Frozen Corn
Really, the possibilities are endless. As long as you don't use starchy vegetables like potatoes.
The reason NOT to use potatoes or other super starchy things is that those vegetables ABSORB water to help the starch cook. You will likely not have enough water if you did that.
Why Are My Instant Pot Pork Chops Tough?
If your pork chops are tough after cooking, it's likely because you have overcooked them.
Wondering how long to cook pork chops?
Follow my cooking times exactly for this recipe and you will have perfect Instant Pot Pork Chops every time.
How Can You Tell If Pork Chops Are Done?
- Time. Cook under high pressure for 5 minutes with a 10 minute natural release.
- Temperature. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of at least 145F.
- Texture. Pork chops should not be tough or chewy.
Can You Use Bone In Pork Chops?
Yes, you can. I would recommend you use a thin pork chop for this Instant Pot pork chops recipe, whether it has a bone or not so that the pork chop and rice cook at the same time.
How To Make Instant Pot Pork Chops and Rice
- For this easy pork chops recipe, add oil, onions, rice, salt and pepper into the Instant Pot. You do not need to sauté anything. Yup, you read that right. The pressure cooker will take care of all the cooking for you.
- Place pork chops on top of the rice. Pour in water and push down the rice to ensure it's covered by the water.
3. Add whatever vegetables you intend to use. DO NOT STIR. You want these vegetables on top so that they won't overcook.
4. Set the Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker to 5 minutes. At the end of the cook time, let it rest undisturbed for 10 minutes. This is important cook time for the Pressure Cooker Pork Chops, so do not rush it.
5. Ready to serve! Cooking pork chops has never been so easy. They will be completely cooked. The rice will be soft and therefore well loved by kids and grown ups alike.
What To Serve With Instant Pot Pork Chops
Serving Instant Pot Pork Chops with complementary side dishes can turn this main course into a well-rounded and satisfying meal. Here are some great options to consider:
- Salads- A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette or Caesar dressing. Add ingredients like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions for extra crunch and flavor. A coleslaw or a carrot salad for a sweet and tangy side.
- Breads- Dinner rolls, garlic bread, or a crusty baguette to soak up any sauce or juices. Cornbread or cheesy biscuits for a Southern-style accompaniment.
- Applesauce or Fruit Compotes- Homemade applesauce or a chunky fruit compote, which traditionally pairs well with pork. A warm spiced apple or pear compote can add a sweet and comforting element.
- Soups- A light vegetable soup or a creamy squash soup as a starter. A simple broth-based soup like chicken noodle or minestrone.
Tips & Tricks
- This is a thin pork chop recipe so they cook with the rice. You can use boneless pork chops as well.
- Do not exceed the quantity of vegetables called for, as you will have way too much water and mushy rice if you do that.
- This bone in or boneless pork chop recipe makes very soft rice so use the longest grain rice you can find and don't add extra water.
- The pork chops and vegetables will release plenty of water.
- Be sure the rice is well covered with water; push it down if you need to.
- If you double the recipe. use only 1 3/4 cups of water.
- If you're wondering how to cook boneless pork chops with this recipe, don't fret. Just follow the directions for bone in pork chop recipes listed below.
Variations
Creating variations of Instant Pot Pork Chops and Rice is a fantastic way to keep this meal interesting and cater to different tastes. Here are several delicious twists you can try:
- Mexican-Style Pork Chops and Rice- Season the pork chops with a blend of cumin, chili powder, and paprika. Cook with salsa and a can of black beans. Serve over rice with a sprinkle of cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice for a zesty flavor.
- Italian-Inspired- Use Italian seasoning on the pork chops and cook with diced tomatoes and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Mix with cooked rice, fresh basil, and top with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Asian Flair- Marinate the pork chops in a mix of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic before cooking. Serve with rice cooked in chicken broth and a touch of sesame oil. Top with green onions and a drizzle of hoisin sauce.
- Cajun Twist- Season the pork chops with Cajun spices. Cook with diced bell peppers, onion, and celery. Mix in cooked rice and a bit of chicken broth for a spicy, southern-inspired dish.
Want More Instant Pot Recipes?
- Instant Pot Butter Chicken is an easy 30-minute dinner and you can make rice on top of it, as the video shows.
- Pressure Cooker Rice and Dal is a great vegetarian rice dinner.
- This Lebanese Lentil and Rice dish is another great Vegetarian Instant Pot recipe.
- Instant Pot Indian Khichadi is comfort food in a bowl!
- Instant Pot Risotto with Shrimp is another one-pot comfort meal.
- Buffalo chicken casserole for the days you want low carb recipes
- You might also like low carb Chicken Biryani that uses riced cauliflower.
- Chicken and Mushrooms are a great combo.
- My kids love Instant Pot Pork Chops with Rice and Vegetables
- Zucchini Lasagna- You won't even miss the pasta.
- Haluski Recipe - A wonderful cabbage and noodles recipe.
Pin It!
So the next time you're looking for a quick, yet family friendly dinner to cook up, make this Instant Pot Pork Chops and Rice! Your family is sure to love how it tastes and you're sure to love how little effort is involved in making it!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) Oil
- 1 cup (160 g) Onion, chopped
- 1 cup (185 g) Basmati Rice, rinsed
- 1 tsp (1 tsp) Kosher Salt
- 1 tsp (1 tsp) Ground Black Pepper
- 4 (4) pork chops,, thin cut
- 1 cup (187.5 g) Water
- 1/2 cup (91 g) mixed vegetables,, frozen
- 1 (1) carrot, julienned
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into the inner liner of your pressure cooker in the order listed. Oil and onions at the bottom, rice with salt and pepper on top of that, pork chops on the rice, pour water and strew about the vegetables on top.
- Be absolutely sure that the rice is sitting under the water otherwise it will not cook. If you use potatoes or other starchy vegetables, you may need to add water. If you don't rinse your rice, you may need to add a little extra water.
- Cook at High Pressure for 5 minutes, and allow it to release pressure naturally for 10 minutes. Release any remaining pressure, and serve.
Watch The Video
- Use thin pork chops so they cook with the rice.
- Do not exceed the quantities of vegetables called for, as you will have way too much water and mushy rice if you do that.
- This recipe makes a very soft rice so use the longest grain rice you can find and don't add extra water.
- The pork chops and vegetables will release plenty of water.
- Be sure the rice is well covered with water; push it down if you need to. If you don't your rice will not cook.
- If you have an 8 quart, DOUBLE THE RECIPE. Otherwise you may get a burn message
- Be sure to rinse the rice, else you may not have enough water in the recipe, and your rice may be very starchy and stick.
Get support & connect with our community on Facebook!
Nutrition
Originally Published July 17, 2017
Don't forget to check out my other Best-selling Instant Pot Cookbooks!
Indian Instant Pot, Keto Instant Pot, Instant Pot Fast and Easy, Healthy Instant Pot & Vegetarian Instant Pot.
S.
I doubled the rice & water as I have an 8 qt. Thicker boneless pork would have been better IMO as I found the thin pork was dry. I would use fresh vegetables ie cauliflower and broccoli cut into small pieces as I found my frozen veggies turned to mush (I don't happen to like carrots). I would make this again but will tweak it.